Motor Vehicle Operator

Veterans Health Administration (DOVA); Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration (DOVA) at the Northampton, MA VA Medical Center seeks a full-time, permanent Vehicle Operator to transport contaminated waste, furniture, and trash across internal routes. The role requires driving a range of vehicles, performing basic maintenance, and preparing transport manifests in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities include custodial duties, operating various vehicle types, and ensuring safety in patient care areas.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Travel not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation.

Responsibilities

• Operate a vehicle on and off station to transport contaminated waste, furniture, and trash.
• Operate fuel-powered vehicles to haul cargo and transport regulated medical waste.
• Drive various vehicle types up to 10,000 pounds GVW.
• Perform routine operator maintenance on vehicles.
• Prepare manifests for transportation of regulated waste.
• Perform custodial duties and light maintenance tasks.

Skills

Vehicle operation

Job description

This position is located in the Environmental Management Service of the VA Medical Center in Northampton (Leeds), MA.

$23.20 – $27.08 per hour

Full-time

Permanent

Travel Required: Not required

This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: Yes

Security clearance: Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

CARZ-13103829-27-CMM

Control number: 891200000

This job is open to the public.

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

• Operating a vehicle on and off station to provide services that include the transportation of contaminated waste, furniture, and everyday trash;
• Operating gasoline, diesel, or electric powered wheeled vehicles to haul cargo, transport sewage, and transport regulated medical waste (RMW);
• Operating pickp, panel flatbed trucks, carryalls, sedans, crew cab pickup trucks, vans, and wheelchair vans with a gross vehicle weight of up to 10,000 pounds;
• Performing routine operator maintenance on driven vehicles;
• Driving regularly established schedules and routes as well as specific trip assignments;
• Using common cleaning tools and lightweight cleaning equipment;
• Preparing manifests for the transportation of contaminated needles and RMW for pick up or transport;
• Using, moving, and controlling heavy equipment and carrying and setting up ladders;
• Performing custodial duties such as sweeping/scrubbing/waxing floors, washing windows and walls, dusting and polishing furniture and fixtures, and emptying waste cans;
• Performing minor maintenance on vacuum cleaners, power scrubbers, buffers, and polishers;
• Lifting and moving objects and furniture to set up offices and hang pictures, whiteboards, etc. on walls;
• Performing related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Pre-employment physical required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

Physical Effort: Must be able to do a considerable amount of walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, bending, and crawling. Requires work in congested areas in tight, cramped, or awkward positions. Must be able to carry and set up ladders and indoor scaffolding/staging, lift/move heavy equipment or furniture that may weigh more than 50 pounds. There is exposure to cleaning chemicals and wearing PPE/respirators may be necessary. Considerable effort may be required to change tires on vehicles.

Working Conditions: Work is performed throughout a medical facility and much of the work is done in patient care areas, so the employee must always be alert to the safety and well‑being of patients, visitors, staff, and fellow employees. Duties may be performed in tight, cramped, wet, dry, and dusty areas and the employee may be exposed to skin irritations from strong chemical solutions. The employee is subject to minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Vehicle operation occurs in all types of weather and traffic conditions.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen‑outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations)
• Motor Vehicles
• Operate Safely (Non‑Motor Vehicle)
• Without more than normal supervision
• Work Practices

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part‑time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation, i.e., Letter of Intent, related to your active‑duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10‑point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must refer to the SF‑15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” and submit required documents as applicable and stated on the form. Documentation is mandatory to award preference. For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans’ Preference.

Agency contact information

VHA National Recruitment Center

[phone]

[e-mail]

VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System

421 North Main Street

Leeds, MA 1053

US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications per Category Rating procedures to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. If initial application submission is updated and resubmitted with a new resume, only the most current resume will be reviewed for consideration. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request